UNIQLO Management Candidate Program (UMC) (Feb 2024)

About UNIQLO

UNIQLO is the leading brand of the Fast Retailing Group, the third-largest apparel retailer in the world. UNIQLO respects the individuality and lifestyle of all customers and takes pride in creating high quality, long-lasting, innovative clothing at an affordable price since the establishment of the company in 1949 in Yamaguchi, Japan, originally as a textiles manufacturer.

As the Group’s pillar brand, UNIQLO continues to open large-scale stores in some of the world's most important cities and locations, as part of its ongoing efforts to solidify its status as a global brand. Today the company has more than 2,400 stores in 25 markets including Japan. Driven by the concept of LifeWear, apparel that comes from the Japanese values of simplicity, quality and longevity, we offer unique products that become the building blocks of an individual’s lifestyle. We oversee the entire clothes-making process – from procurement of materials, product planning, development, design and manufacture, through distribution, retail and inventory management. 

The UMC Graduate Journey

Our UNIQLO Manager Candidate Graduate Program (UMC) will prepare you to take on many roles as an innovator, a talent developer, a problem solver, and above all, a Business Leader. As part of this program, you will join a group of passionate peers and participate in a 6-12 month training program learning the UNIQLO business from the bottom up. Our program will allow you to build the skills and experience necessary to become an effective Store Manager and to one day become a Business Leader. 

As a UMC, you will be guided through our innovative learning and development training supporting you in learning the core skills for success in your day to day activities, such as:

• Monitoring and developing work schedules
• Assessing effective visual merchandise layouts and comply with merchandising requirements
• Manage inventory levels and propose solutions that best benefit the company
• Supervise, motivate and develop a team to ensure retention
• Successfully deliver UNIQLO’s fundamental principles of customer service

Training & development

The company emphasizes the personal growth and self-actualization of each employee. Guided by two of its fundamental concepts - Global One and ZEN-IN KEIEI - each employee cultivates the mindset of an executive and learns to implement global best practices through their work. They foster a problem-solving workforce that focuses on their customers first. They develop employees that can form and respond to a clear and accurate understanding of the marketplace: conditions, products, and preferences. Read more.

Career progression

To support the self-actualization of each employee, they employ an Individual Development Plan (IDP) scheme in which each employee sets his or her own career goals, before making their skill development plan, and executing this plan with support from a supervisor. In addition, Fast Retailing offers a voluntary Career Challenge Program for employees to facilitate career advancement across departments. Read more.

Culture & vibe

The company embraces and promotes diversity and inclusion. They believe these concepts nurture their culture, helping to change its business, the people working within it, and society for the better. They respect and appreciate each individual’s points of difference and personality and strive to create a diverse team where every person has an equal opportunity to use their greatest abilities to fulfill their or potential. Read more.

To know more about what's life like at UNIQLO, watch this video:

About you

They are looking for people who match their company values and aspire to be true business managers above all. They’re looking for people who are suitable for UNIQLO - not just for right now, but for the long term.

The 5 abilities that the candidates will possess are:

• A global mindset
• The ability to lead through innovation and change
• The ability to drive sales and profitability
• The ability to set and pursue an ideal
• The ability to build and manage a team

How to apply

To apply for this role, simply click the "Apply on employer site" button on this page to submit your application directly to UNIQLO.